FORT MEADE - David Francis Hengen, age 60, passed away November 18, 2007, at Ft. Meade, SD.

David was born August 4, 1947, to Orville and Lucille (Hoffmann) Hengen. He was raised in White Lake, SD, and the family moved to Rapid City in 1959. David graduated from Rapid City High School in 1965. He joined the US Army on August 17, 1965, and served two tours in Vietnam. Among his military honors, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Pathfinder Badge. He was discharged as a Captain on March 21, 1972. David lived in Denver following his discharge and married Stephanie Vigil in 1972. They had one son, Christopher. David relocated to Rapid City and worked at the VA Center in Ft. Meade until the time of his death. David enjoyed his work at the VA Center and was very dedicated to his job as Facility Mail Manager. He was a Denver Broncos fan, an avid fisherman, and enjoyed hunting in eastern South Dakota with his extended family members. He was unbeatable at cribbage and Scrabble.

Grateful for his passing are many fish in the lakes and streams of the Black Hills. David is survived by his son, Chris Hengen, Denver, and four grandchildren, Adam, Tobie, Jacob, and Canaan. He is also survived by his parents, Orville and Lucille Hengen, Rapid City; three sisters, Pat (Joe) Weaver of Hurst, TX, Gayle (Frank) Effenberger and Linda (Bob) Riggio of Rapid City; and two brothers, Orville (Maxine) Hengen of Acworth, GA, and Robert (Marsha) Hengen of Rapid City. He has many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Visitation will be held Sunday, November 25, 2007, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1630 Rushmore St. in Rapid City at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 26, 2007, with Pastor Bill Paepke officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. with military honors by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard, 1814 Butte View Drive, Sturgis, SD 57785.

See you on the other side, David. We love you.